TikTok is one of the main social media platforms used by the Latino population in the United States. In fact, 14% more than adult Americans from diverse populations.
Latinos are among the diverse populations that use TikTok the most, so a ban on the platform would impact them.
This is revealed in a report from My Code’s Intelligence Center, conducted in mid-2023, which found that 50% of Latinos use the platform weekly.
The report was conducted in the context that 37 of the 50 states had announced or made progress on projects to ban TikTok. At least on government-issued devices, due to concerns over access to sensitive information.
In April 2023, Montana approved a law banning the use of the social network in the state. However, that effort was blocked in court due to violations of the First Amendment.
At the federal level, the app was banned on government phones, over concerns that data collected by the devices could be used by the Chinese government.
Currently, 34 states already have legislation banning TikTok on government devices.
Additionally, 50 universities have banned the platform from campus Wi-Fi or campus computers.
Where the App Is Banned
Among states with the largest Latino populations, such as California, Illinois, and New York, there are no bans in place.
However, other states with large Latino populations, like Florida, Nevada, New Jersey, and Texas, have bans—but all focused on government-issued devices.
According to data from the Intelligence Center, 57% of the LGBTQIA+ population uses the platform, the only diverse group that surpasses Latinos, who register 50%.
Forty-two percent of African Americans reported using the platform, as did 28% of Asian Americans (AANHPI).
When asked which platform they would use if TikTok were banned, Latinos mentioned Reddit, in addition to noting they frequently use WhatsApp and Pinterest.
This differs from Black and AANHPI populations, who would prefer Instagram and Snapchat, respectively.
It is estimated that 170 million people use TikTok in the U.S.
The Bill in the House
In March 2023, the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) demanded that ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company, sell its shares, due to concerns that the company had ties to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
If ByteDance did not sell its shares, it would face a federal ban, but that has not happened.
In fact, the same justification from CFIUS, led by the Department of the Treasury, was included in the bill passed by the House of Representatives with 352 votes in favor and 65 against.
President Joe Biden said last week that he will sign the bill as soon as it is approved.
The bill banning TikTok must be approved by the Senate. Where Democrat Mark Warner (Virginia), chair of the Intelligence Committee, and Republican Marco Rubio (Florida), ranking member, announced they will draft a proposal.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (New York) has not expressed opposition or support for the bill but said it would be reviewed.
“The Senate will review the legislation when it arrives from the House,” Schumer stated.
Image: Opinion
